The story continues: Lincoln and the hillbillies

DAY 3- JULY 8- MILEAGE 804

We woke up very early to have as much time in Springfield as possible, yet still make it to N. Ky by dinnertime. As we hooked up Scotty, we noticed the left taillight wasn't working. Sure enough, a light bulb was not only out, but the glass of the bulb was broken. So, we loaded up the car and headed into the nearest town (Rochester, IL) to find an auto parts shop that was open at 7:15 a.m. We crossed under the overpass of the highway and decided to grab some coffee (adults) and french toast sticks (kids) at BK which we could see on the edge of town. We were on vacation, right? Lo and behold, what is across the street from BK?? An Auto Zone store, which was open and already attracting customers. So, Shawn replaced the bulb, we guzzled our BK Joe to try to gain some consciousness, and we aimed for Springfield.

Shawn getting Scotty repaired

It wasn't hard to locate our destination due to plentiful signs. We arrived at Lincoln's Home and quickly entered the visitor's center to get our tour tickets. This home and surrounding buildings now owned by the National Park Service was a highlight of our trip. The home still had much of the Lincoln's original furniture, and the entrance was free (except for $4 for parking- $2 for each of the parking spots we needed). The kids were giddy to think of their favorite president sitting at THAT desk or his boys playing with THOSE ACTUAL marbles. When we went upstairs, we got to touch the original banister that Lincoln's family had---and my children savored each moment they touched it. I know, nerds.

Solveig takes a turn carrying Anju

Abe's desk

Jonah excitedly feels the Lincoln family's banister

Us at Lincoln's Home

After our tour, we left and went to Lincoln's tomb in a nearby cemetery. It was a large monument at the end of the road, past the other gravestones. Signs asked for quiet and reverence (however Anju can't read) and it did feel overwhelmingly sad there. Inside the tomb was first a small rotunda with a small reproduction of the Lincoln Memorial. Then, a circular hallway led past the beautiful words of his obituary to his large tombstone, surrounded by flags. The opposite wall had the names and dates of his wife and sons who are buried there. On a distant wall was the name and dates of his oldest son, who is not buried there, but in Arlington.

Tomb exterior

Inside Lincoln's tomb

We drove through more downpours in Illinois, across Indiana (where some had reported funnel clouds), and into Northern Kentucky to our hotel. We arrived about 6 Central time, which was now 7 in the Eastern time zone. The room was clean, but had a distinctive "old" smell to it. And, the air conditioner seemed to be having trouble. The carpet appeared to be about my age. However, the bathroom was shiny and it had a nice newish fridge and microwave in it, so I figured it was worth the $50-some a night. Besides, it had a great pool, right?

Are the Staffords here??

None of the Ashraya families we were meeting appeared to be there. The front desk said they hadn't arrived. I was beginning to think that maybe Shawn was right--maybe they were my "imaginary friends"? Maybe driving 20 hours across the country to meet people you met over the internet was a bad idea? It was all starting to sound like an episode of Dateline. Shawn thought maybe we should leave a message at the front desk to let the others know we were there. I figured a vintage camper in the parking lot with MN plates would likely be all the notice they needed. We had the cell numbers for 2 of the 3 families, and the one that we reached said she wouldn't be there until very late. So, we ordered pizza in our room and went to the pool for swimming.

At the pool we immediately noticed a definite "KY flair". Shawn started calling Solveig "Elly May" which was extremely short-lived. I didn't hear anyone reference the pool as a "cement pond", but based on appearances I fully expected to. Proper pool attire has a different definition with many of the hotel guests at that "fine" establishment. Those who had proper swimsuits did not apparently try them on before purchasing them, as let's just say they didn't quite fit the way you need a swimsuit to fit.

Eventually, The Yeast family arrived in the pool area and we were able to visit with them until about 10:30. Jonah (7 1/2) and Manu (2) hit it off right away and had a great time playing together. Manu was just slightly taller than Anju, although being a year younger. We decided to meet at breakfast the next morning to figure out what to do the next day, as the Carrs weren't arriving until midnight and we hadn't gotten a hold of the Tague family yet. Hmmmmm. :-)